Vehicle latch assembly

Abstract

A vehicle latch assembly includes: a remote wrap-up actuator; the utility model relates to a vehicle latch. The vehicle latch comprises a latch housing; a pawl pivotally mounted to the latch housing; a take-up lever pivotally mounted to the latch housing; the push-out rod is pivotally mounted to the winding rod; and wherein the remote take-up actuator is operably coupled to the take-up lever by a cable, where actuation of the remote take-up actuator causes rotation of the take-up lever, and during rotation of the take-up lever, the push-out lever travels along one of a push-out path in which the push-out lever does not contact the jaw bypass path and a push-out path in which the push-out lever contacts the jaw, and a push-out path in which the push-out lever does not contact the jaw bypass path. And an opening force is provided for the clamping jaw.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle latches, and more particularly, to a vehicle latch assembly. Background Art

[0002] In a door latch with a powered release mechanism, the associated door sometimes does not transition from the locked position to the open position, possibly due to the door being frozen to the opening that the door is secured in. This can be caused by moisture freezing between the door seal and the vehicle body in cold temperatures.

[0003] Therefore, having the ability to unlock the vehicle door in extreme freezing conditions has become a real need in the market. For the side door latch, ice may form around the door, making it difficult for the passenger to pull the handle and open the door. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a latch assembly with a mechanism that can assist in opening the vehicle door, making it easier to enter the vehicle in extremely cold temperatures. Utility Model Content

[0004] A vehicle latch assembly is disclosed, comprising: a remote winding actuator; and a vehicle latch. The vehicle latch comprises: a latch housing; a claw pivotably mounted to the latch housing; a winding rod pivotably mounted to the latch housing; and an ejection rod pivotably mounted to the winding rod; and wherein the remote winding actuator is operably coupled to the winding rod by a cable, wherein actuation of the remote winding actuator causes the winding rod to rotate, and during rotation of the winding rod, the ejection rod travels along one of a bypass path in which the ejection rod does not contact the claw and an ejection path in which the ejection rod contacts the claw, and provides an opening force to the claw.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the ejection rod is spring biased to the bypass path by an ejection rod spring.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the vehicle latch also includes a clutch lever that is movable between a bypass position and a non-bypass position, wherein when the clutch lever is in the non-bypass position, the clutch lever causes the ejection rod to travel along an ejection path when the take-up rod rotates.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the clutch lever is spring biased to the bypass position by a clutch lever spring.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the ejection rod is spring biased to the bypass path by an ejection rod spring.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the ejection lever further includes a feature that engages the clutch lever to guide the ejection lever into the ejection path when the clutch lever is in the non-bypass position.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the vehicle latch also includes an override link, a power release lever and a pawl, the power release lever being operably coupled to the pawl, wherein movement of the power release lever causes the pawl to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the pawl preventing the pawl from rotating when the pawl is in the engaged position, and the pawl not preventing the pawl from rotating when the pawl is in the disengaged position, the override link being operably coupled to the pawl so that movement of the pawl causes movement of the override link, and the override link being operably coupled to the clutch lever so that when the pawl is in the disengaged position, the clutch lever is in a non-bypass position due to movement of the override link.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the clutch lever has a tab that is received within a recess of the override link so that the clutch lever will rotate between the non-bypass position and the bypass position when the override link moves.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the clutch lever spring has one end fixed to the override link and another end fixed to the clutch lever.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the ejection rod spring has one end fixed to the take-up rod and the other end fixed to the ejection rod.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the ejection rod spring has one end fixed to the take-up rod and the other end fixed to the ejection rod.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the take-up lever includes a take-up link pivotally mounted to the take-up lever, wherein when the take-up lever is rotated, the claw is in the auxiliary position and the pawl is in the engaged position, the take-up link contacts the claw and provides a closing force to the claw.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the clutch lever has a guide feature that contacts a section of the latch housing when the pawl is in the engaged position so that the clutch lever cannot rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the guide feature does not contact the section of the latch housing when the pawl is in the disengaged position, allowing the clutch control lever to rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a view of a vehicle latch assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 is a view of the interior components of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 is an exploded view of some of the internal components of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged views of some of the components shown in ;

[0022] Figure 5 At least Figure 2 An enlarged view of some of the components of the vehicle latch is shown;

[0023] Figures 6 to 10A shows a take-up operation according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figures 11 to 16B An opening assistance for a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Fig.17 and Fig.17A shows a portion of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure; and

[0026] Figures 18 to 21 An electric child lock function according to the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, the push-out rod is riveted and pivoted into the take-up rod. The push-out rod will have a riveted pivot on it that serves as a guide function. In addition, the push-out rod will be spring loaded or biased so that whenever the take-up rod rotates, the push-out rod will fall into the bypass path unless the push-out rod is redirected by the clutch lever.

[0029] Therefore, each time the take-up lever rotates, the push-out lever will follow two possible paths: a push-out path or a bypass path. The path the push-out lever will take will be determined by the latch position (e.g., held open). The pivot riveted to the push-out lever will slide through these paths.

[0030] The clutch lever is pivotally mounted to the latch and moves whenever the latch is in a hold open position. As used herein, hold open refers to when the pawl of the latch is held in an open or disengaged position in which the pawl does not contact the claw of the latch. The clutch lever will allow the ejector rod to travel along an ejection path in the latch housing, thereby enabling contact between the ejector rod and the claw.

[0031] If the latch is not in the held open or open position, the ejector rod will only travel along the bypass path.

[0032] Whenever the ejector rod contacts the blank portion of the jaw, it will have the ability to move it to a position further than the auxiliary position.

[0033] The design also eliminates the possibility of simultaneous wind-up and assisted opening operations.

[0034] Reference now Figure 1 , a vehicle latch assembly 10 is shown. The vehicle latch assembly 10 includes a vehicle latch 12 operably coupled to a remote wind-up actuator 14 via a cable slidably received in a cable sheath 16 extending from the vehicle latch 12 to the remote wind-up actuator 14. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle latch assembly 10 is configured for use with a side door of a vehicle.

[0035] Figure 2 The vehicle latch 12 is shown with the cover 18 removed from the latch housing 20. Figure 1-4 ,in particular Figure 3 and Figure 4 , showing a portion of the vehicle latch 12. In particular, Figure 3 and Figure 4 An exploded view of portions or components of the vehicle latch 12 is shown. The override link 22, back plate 24, clutch lever 26, clutch lever spring 28, take-up lever 30, take-up link 32, ejector lever 34, and ejector lever spring 36 are shown. The take-up lever 30 is pivotally or rotatably mounted to the latch housing 20 by a pivot 38. The take-up link 32 is pivotally mounted to the take-up lever 30 by a rivet 40. The ejector lever 34 is pivotally mounted to the take-up lever 30 by a rivet 42. The ejector lever 34 has a pivot or feature 44 riveted thereto that will serve as a guide feature for the ejector lever 34. The clutch lever spring 28 provides a biasing force to the clutch lever 26, and the ejector lever spring 36 provides a biasing force to the ejector lever 34. The clutch lever 26 is pivotally mounted to the back plate 24. One end of the clutch lever spring 28 contacts or is fixed to the clutch lever 26, and the other end of the clutch lever spring 28 contacts or is fixed to the back plate 24. One end of the push-out lever spring 36 contacts or is fixed to the take-up lever 30, and the other end of the push-out lever spring 36 contacts or is fixed to the take-up lever 30.

[0036] Reference now Figure 5 , showing an enlarged portion of the override link 22 and the clutch lever 26. As shown, the clutch lever 26 has a tab (or feature) 46 that is received within a recess 48 of the override link 22 so that when the override link 22 moves, the clutch lever 26 will rotate. The clutch lever 26 also has a guide feature 50 or cam surface that will interact with the pivot or feature 44 and cause the ejector rod 34 to travel along one of two paths (i.e., a bypass path or an open auxiliary path) depending on the position of the clutch lever 26.

[0037] Figures 6 to 8 The winding operation of the vehicle latch 12 is shown. Figures 6 to 8 is the latch housing 20 with the mounting plate removed (relative to at least Figures 1 to 3 A bottom view of the Figure 6 In the embodiment, the claw 52 is in the auxiliary position and the pawl 54 has engaged the claw 52 so that it cannot be rotated to the open position or from Figure 6 Position shown is counter-clockwise.

[0038] As used herein and as known in the related art, the primary position of the pawl 52 refers to a closed position of the vehicle latch 12, wherein the pawl 52 holds a striker (not shown) and the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is fully closed and the pawl 54 is in an engaged position in which the pawl 52 is held in the closed or primary position. As used herein and as known in the related art, the open position of the vehicle latch 12 refers to a position in which the pawl 52 no longer holds the striker, the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is open or openable, and the pawl 54 has moved to a disengaged position so that the pawl 52 can be rotated from the closed or primary position to the open position. As used herein and as known in the related art, the secondary position refers to a partially closed position of the vehicle latch 12, wherein the pawl 52 holds the striker and the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is partially closed and the pawl 54 is in an engaged position that holds the pawl 52 in the second position.

[0039] Thus, the vehicle latch 12 is configured to perform a motorized wind-up operation wherein the pawl 52 is urged from the second position to the primary or closed position.

[0040] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the winding operation has begun, which may refer to when a rotational force is applied to the winding rod 30 by means of a cable 31 fixed at one end to the winding rod 30 and a drum (not shown) of the remote winding actuator 14. The remote winding actuator 14 is driven or rotated by a motor (not shown) of the remote winding actuator 14, so that the cable 31 is wound around the drum and the winding rod rotates. During this movement, the winding link 32 contacts the surface 56 of the claw 52. In this way, the winding link 32 will rotate the claw to a position such as Figure 8 5. The primary or fully locked position shown. In this position, the pawl 54 will hold the dog 52 in the primary or fully locked position. During this movement, the ejector rod 34 follows a bypass path and does not contact the dog 52. This is due to the biasing force of the ejector rod spring 36 and the fact that the pivot or feature 44 is not redirected by the guide feature 50 or cam surface of the clutch lever 26. This is also due to the fact that the clutch lever 26 is not moved by the override link. Also refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , which shows that relative to at least Figures 6 to 8 This movement of the opposite side of the vehicle latch 12 (the cover is removed). Also refer to Fig.9A and Fig. 10A , wherein only some components of the vehicle latch 12 are shown at least with respect to Figures 6 to 8 This movement on the opposite side of the vehicle latch 12 (the cover is removed).

[0041] Reference now Figures 11 to 13 , the override link 22 moves in the direction of arrow 58. As the override link 22 moves in the direction of arrow 58, the clutch lever 26 now moves to a position such that the ejection lever spring 36 does not cause the ejection lever 34 to travel along the bypass path, but rather the ejection lever 34 will contact the dog 52. This position of the clutch lever 26 may be referred to as a non-bypass position or a second position, and is at least Figure 2 , Fig. 9 , Fig.9A , Fig.10 , Fig. 10A The position of the clutch lever 26 shown in FIG. 2 may be referred to as a bypass position or a first position.

[0042] Reference now Figures 11 to 16B , movement of the override link 22 in the direction of arrow 58 is facilitated by a power release operation, wherein a motor 60 rotates a worm 62, which rotates a power release gear 64, which has a cam feature 70, which contacts and rotates the power release lever. The power release lever 72 is operably connected to a pawl release lever 74. The pawl release lever 74 has a protrusion 76 that is received within an opening 78 of the override link 22. The pawl release lever 74 is operably connected to a pawl lifter 80. The pawl lifter 80 is operably coupled to the pawl 54. Therefore, when the pawl release lever 74 is rotated by the power release lever 72, the pawl 54 is in a position at least as Fig.14 and Fig.15 However, if Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the claw 52 is still in the closed or primary position. This may be due to the fact that the vehicle door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is frozen or stuck (as described above).

[0043] If this happens, at least Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, the pawl 52 of the vehicle latch 12 can be moved to the open position by activating the remote take-up actuator 14, so that the take-up lever 30 can be rotated by the cable 31. However, now the override link 22 has moved in the direction of arrow 58. The clutch lever 26 moves to the non-bypass position or the second position. This is due to the fact that due to the movement of the override link 22 in the direction of arrow 58, the movement of the override link 2222 overcomes the biasing force of the clutch spring 28 (it will be understood that the clutch spring biases the clutch lever 26 to the bypass position or the first position of the clutch lever), and the clutch lever 26 rotates to the non-bypass position or the second position. When the clutch lever 26 is in the non-bypass position or the second position and the take-up lever 30 is relative to at least Figures 11 to 13 When rotated in a clockwise direction in the view shown, the pivot or feature 44 will contact the surface 84 of the clutch lever 26 and thus the ejector lever 34 will not be rotated into the bypass path by the ejector lever spring 36 .

[0044] Thus, when the take-up lever 30 is rotated, the distal end 86 of the push-out lever 34 will contact the tab or blank 88 of the claw 52, ​​and the rotational force of the take-up lever 30 will be applied to the claw 52 to move it toward the open position. Fig.15 and Fig.16 The force applied to the claw 52 by the ejector rod 34 can be used to break the frozen state of the door installed with the vehicle latch 12 frozen in the closed position. The distal end 86 of the ejector rod 34 can have a curved surface that is configured to engage the curved surface of the tab or blank 88.

[0045] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, to provide power assistance for opening the vehicle latch 12, actuation of the remote wind-up actuator 14 is only performed when the pawl 54 is in the disengaged position and the claw 52 is still in the primary or closed position (see at least Fig.14 and 15 ). Thus, the remote winding actuator 14 will be activated and the push rod 34 will contact the pawl 52 and push it from the main position to the open position. Activation of the remote winding actuator 14 will occur when the first switch determines that the pawl 54 is in the disengaged position and the second switch determines that the pawl 52 is still in the main position. The first switch and the second switch are each operably connected to a controller, which is operably connected to the motor of the remote winding actuator 14.

[0046] Thus, the remote winding actuator 14 can perform two functions: 1) winding the pawl 52 from the auxiliary position to the main position, or 2) pushing the pawl from the main position. The type of activity applied by the remote winding actuator 14 will be based on the position of the clutch lever 26, which corresponds to the position of the pawl 54.

[0047] Fig.17 and Fig.17A 5 shows a portion of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure. When the pawl 54 is in the engaged position, the guide feature 50 of the clutch lever 26 contacts the section 82 of the latch housing 20, thereby preventing the clutch lever 26 from rotating from the bypass position to the non-bypass position. When the pawl 54 is in the disengaged position, the guide feature 50 does not contact the section 82 of the latch housing 20, thereby enabling the clutch lever 26 to rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

[0048] Reference now Figure 2 and Figures 18 to 21 , an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Here, the vehicle latch 12 includes an electric child lock feature. It should be understood that the vehicle latch 12 can be configured with an electric child lock feature, combined with a remote wind-up actuator 14 with bypass and non-bypass operation to provide wind-up and / or assisted opening, or combined with a remote wind-up actuator 14 with bypass and non-bypass operation to provide wind-up and / or assisted opening can be unique to the vehicle latch 12. In other words, various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate a vehicle latch 12 having only a remote wind-up actuator 14 with bypass and non-bypass operation to provide wind-up and / or assisted opening and without an electric child lock function.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figures 18 to 21 As shown, the motor 100 provides driving force to the worm 102, which is operably coupled to a sector gear 104, which is pivotally mounted to the actuator housing of the vehicle latch 12. The actuator housing is fixed to the latch. Alternatively, the actuator housing and the latch housing 20 are formed together as a single component.

[0050] The bypass lever or sub-bypass lever 106 is pivotally mounted to the internal release lever 108. The internal release lever 108 is also pivotally mounted to the actuator housing. The sub-bypass lever 106 has an arm 110 that passes through an opening 112 of the internal release lever 108. The arm 110 is operably coupled to a sub-lock link 114, and the sub-lock link 114 is operably coupled to the sector gear 104 at an opposite end. The arm 110 has a middle portion 116 and a distal portion 118. The distal portion 118 engages the sub-lock link 114, while the middle portion 116 engages a tab 120 of the power release lever 72.

[0051] Thus, when the sub-bypass rod 106 is in the first position (eg Fig.1812), the intermediate portion 116 will contact the tab 120 of the power release lever 72. When the internal release lever 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow 122, the power release lever 72 is caused to rotate in the direction of arrow 122, which in turn causes the pawl to rotate the pawl release lever 74, which rotates the pawl lifter 80, which rotates the pawl 54. In other words, this action will open the vehicle latch 12.

[0052] On the other hand, if the motor 100 is started and the sector gear 104 rotates, the sub-lock link 114 will move in the direction of arrow 124 and the sub-bypass lever 106 will rotate in the direction of arrow 122. This causes the arm 110 to move in the opening 112 so that when the internal release lever 108 rotates in the direction of arrow 122, the middle portion 116 of the arm 110 will not contact the tab 120 of the power release lever 72. See Figures 19 to 21 Thus, in this position, operation of the interior release lever 108 will not unlock the vehicle latch 12 .

[0053] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in conjunction with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of changes, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described but commensurate with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that various aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be considered to be limited by the above description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle latch assembly (10), characterized in that: The vehicle latch assembly (10) comprises: a remote reel-up actuator (14); and A vehicle latch (12), the vehicle latch (12) comprising: A latch housing (20); a pawl (52) pivotally mounted to the latch housing (20); a take-up lever (30) pivotally mounted to the latch housing (20); and an ejection rod (34) pivotally mounted to the take-up rod (30); The remote winding actuator (14) is operatively connected to the winding lever (30) via a cable, wherein actuation of the remote winding actuator (14) causes the winding lever (30) to rotate, and during the rotation of the winding lever (30), the ejection rod (34) travels along one of a bypass path in which the ejection rod (34) does not contact the claw (52) and an ejection path in which the ejection rod (34) contacts the claw (52), and provides an opening force to the claw (52).

2. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ejector rod (34) is spring biased toward the bypass path by an ejector rod spring (36).

3. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle latch (12) further includes a clutch lever (26) movable between a bypass position and a non-bypass position, wherein when the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position, the clutch lever (26) causes the ejection lever (34) to travel along the ejection path when the take-up lever (30) rotates.

4. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clutch lever (26) is spring biased to the bypass position by a clutch lever spring (28).

5. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ejector rod (34) is spring biased toward the bypass path by an ejector rod spring (36).

6. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ejection lever (34) further includes a feature (44) that engages the clutch lever (26) to guide the ejection lever (34) into the ejection path when the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position.

7. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The vehicle latch (12) further includes an override link (22), a power release lever (72) and a pawl (54), wherein the power release lever (72) is operatively coupled to the pawl (54), wherein movement of the power release lever (72) causes the pawl (54) to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the pawl (54) prevents rotation of the pawl (52) when the pawl (54) is in the engaged position and the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position. The pawl (54) does not prevent rotation of the pawl (52) in the disengaged position, the override link (22) is operatively coupled to the pawl (54) such that movement of the pawl (54) causes movement of the override link (22), and the override link (22) is operatively coupled to the clutch lever (26) such that the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position due to movement of the override link (22) when the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position.

8. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The clutch lever (26) has a tab (46) that is received within a recess (48) of the override link (22) such that when the override link (22) moves, the clutch lever (26) will rotate between the non-bypass position and the bypass position.

9. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: One end of the clutch lever spring (28) is fixed to the override link (22) and the other end of the clutch lever spring (28) is fixed to the clutch lever (26).

10. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that: One end of the ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the take-up rod (30) and the other end of the ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the ejection rod (34).

11. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the take-up rod (30) and the other end of the ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the ejection rod (34).

12. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The take-up lever (30) further comprises a take-up link (32) pivotally mounted to the take-up lever (30), wherein when the take-up lever (30) is rotated, the pawl (52) is in the auxiliary position, and the pawl (54) is in the engaged position, the take-up link (32) contacts the pawl (52) and provides a closing force to the pawl (52).

13. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The clutch lever (26) has a guide feature (50) that contacts a section (82) of the latch housing (20) when the pawl (54) is in the engaged position, thereby preventing the clutch lever (26) from rotating from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

14. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that When the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position, the guide feature (50) does not contact the section (82) of the latch housing (20), thereby enabling the clutch lever (26) to rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

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